Name____________________________
Of Mice and Men Study Guide
As we read Of Mice and Men, consider two questions.
1. How are friendships formed, how are they maintained and how
are they tested?
2. Are there times in a friendship when a person has to hurt a friend
to save that same friend?
Please respond to the following in COMPLETE SENTENCES. You will earn
only ½ credit if answers are not composed in complete sentences.
Chapter One (p. 1-16)
1. Identify the author of the novel.
2. Where does the novel take place?
3. Describe the setting in the opening paragraph. What is the mood?
4. Describe what both men are wearing.
5. The “first” man is George. Describe his physical characteristics.
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6. The “second” man is Lennie. Describe his physical characteristics.
7. Explain why George is upset at the beginning of the chapter.
8. What happens to Lennie’s work card?
9. What does Lennie have in his pocket?
10. Explain why Lennie has this object in his pocket.
11. Explain why George doesn’t want Lennie to say anything to their new
boss.
12. Describe how the mouse dies.
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13. If George didn’t have Lennie, what are three things George says he
could be doing?
14. What does Lennie do to the girl that frightens her?
15. Describe how things are going to be “someday” for George and Lennie.
16. What instructions does George give Lennie right before they fall
asleep?
Chapter Two (p. 17-37)
1. Describe what the old man (the swamper) looks like when we first meet
him (Don’t forget to discuss his arm).
2. How did the stable buck get a crooked back?
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*Are you answers composed in complete sentences??*
3. Describe what the boss looks like.
4. What is George’s last name? What is Lennie’s last name?
5. Explain why Lennie’s last name is ironic
6. What is the name of the town where the boys had been working?
7. What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes
him think this?
8. Describe Curley’s personality and what he looks like.
9. Explain why you think Curley behaves the way he does.
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10. What explanation does Candy give George for Curley’s treatment of
Lennie?
11. What card game does George play?
12. Explain what this game symbolizes.
13. What advice does George give Lennie regarding Curley?
14. Predict why George gives Lennie this advice.
15. Describe Curley’s wife.
16. Describe the jerkline skinner.
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17. What does Carlson suggest Slim do regarding Candy’s dog?
Chapter Three (p. 38-65)
1. Where does George say Lennie would probably sleep?
2. What does Slim say is “funny” about George and Lennie?
3. Describe the mean joke George played on Lennie.
4. Explain why George tells Slim the truth about what happened in Weed.
5. What does Lennie bring into the bunkhouse that he isn’t supposed to?
6. What does Carlson want Candy to do with the dog?
7. Why doesn’t Candy want to do it?
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8. Who takes “care” of Candy’s dog?
9. What does Curley think is going on with Slim and his wife?
10. When George and Lennie have a place of their own, what does Lennie
want to do?
11. Explain the offer Candy makes George. What is George’s response?
12. What regret does Candy have regarding his dog?
13. Why does Curley attack Lennie? What is the result of his attack?
14. Explain what Slim makes Curley agree to.
15. What is Lennie’s biggest concern after the altercation?
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Chapter Four (p. 66-83)
1. Describe Crooks.
2. Identify the day of the week this chapter takes place.
3. What is Crooks’ first comment to Lennie when he sees him appear in the
doorway?
4. Explain what this reveals about Crooks’ personality.
5. Why does Lennie come into the barn?
6. Why do you think Crooks taunts Lennie with the idea that George may
not come back? (THINK about it!)
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7. In your own words, describe what, according to Crooks, happens to a
man if he doesn’t have somebody.
8. Explain the offer Crooks makes to Candy and Lennie with regard to the
place they and George intend to acquire.
9. What does Curley’s wife say she might have done instead of marrying
Curley?
10. What does Curley’s wife threaten to do to Crooks?
11. WHY does she threaten him?
12. Why do you think Crooks takes back his offer to join Candy, Lennie and
George with the land?
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Chapter Five (p. 84-98)
1. Explain what happens to Lennie’s puppy.
2. What are the other men doing while Lennie is in the barn?
3. Explain why Lennie gets angry at his puppy.
4. What does Curley’s wife give Lennie as the reason for her having
married Curley?
5. Explain why Lennie becomes angry with Curley’s wife.
6. What is the result of his anger?
7. Who comes into the barn and discovers what happens?
8. What is Candy’s HOPE even after he and George discuss what occurred
in the barn?
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9. Who does Candy blame for what happened?
10. What happens to Carlson’s Luger?
11. What does Slim suggest Curley do instead of going to look for Lennie?
Chapter Six (p. 99-107)
1. Where does the beginning of this chapter take place?
2. With whom does Lennie have a “conversation” with while in the woods?
(Hint – there are 2!)
3. Describe George’s reaction and reply when Lennie says he thinks George
is mad at him.
4. Why do you think George has Lennie face the water as he (George)
starts to recite what life will be like for them in the future?
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5. What are Lennie’s final words before “it” happens?
6. What are George’s last words to Lennie?
7. Who ACTUALLY had Carlson’s Luger?
8. What does Carlson assume happened to Lennie?
9. What does Slim tell George at the end of the novel?
10. Explain what this reveals about Slim as a person.
11. How many days does this story take place?
12. Predict what you think will happen to George.
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Characterization
Readers learn about characters by what they SAY and what they DO.
Character
George
Words
Actions
Lennie
Curley
Slim
Curley’s Wife
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Symbolism
Symbol
What it represents
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Name____________________________
Mrs. Townsend/English I
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